Interacting with RSS members in Kullu on Thursday, Bhagwat said there had been a growing demand from different communities across the country for a proper quota system.

Bhagwat asked RSS members to strengthen Sangh’s ideology. Earlier, the RSS chief emphasised on the need for protecting the deity culture across the country. Talking to kardars (caretakers) of deities at Dev Sadan here, Bhagwat asked them to make efforts to protect their deity culture. More than 200 kardars took part in the meeting.

Talking to Hindustan Times, chief priest of Lord Raghunath Maheshwar Singh said the RSS chief said deity worship was part of Indian culture for centuries.

“Under deity culture, there should be equality in society. There is a need to end caste-based discrimination. People irrespective of cast and creed should be allowed entry into temples,” he said.

President of Kardar Sangh Dhot Ram Thakur said the RSS chief favoured that decisions pertaining to deities should be based on the opinion of the society rather than being enforced by any law agency. Bhagwat reportedly made these remarks when kardars asked his view over ban on animal sacrifice in Himachal temples.

Sources said kardars also complained to the RSS chief that some Vishwa Hindu Parishad members in Kullu had tried to influence people associated with local deities to weaken the community. “RSS chief condemned the act of Vishwa Hindu Parishad members and said he would take up the matter with higher authorities,” Thakur said.

The entire day the media wasn’t allowed to interact with Bhagwat. RSS followers had raised barricades in front of Dev Sadan to prevent the entry of mediapersons